Album Review : Velcrocranes’ ‘What if I Die’

Velcrocranes opens up their listeners to the spectacular world of progressive rock. Driven by a keen sense of contemplation and exploration, you can imagine how cerebrally stimulating their work is. ‘What if I Die’ is Velcrocranes’ debut LP that gets into the complexity of life and how it is transformed when juxtaposed with the principles of death. 

Speaking to its theme, the band stated “We imagine the main idea of the album as changing as the listener goes along. Our goal was to draw a parallel to the way your understanding of life’s meaning, your values and choices, and your perception of death change during your lifetime."

The album has a lofty grandeur. With bold structures, emphatic textures, experimental dives, and outpouring energy, the tracks challenge the listener and push them towards new arenas of thought. ‘Step Aside’ opens the album. Mammoth basslines and hard riffs pound into the gritty flesh of the vocals. Mid-track, the concentric energy splits and splatters into a kaleidoscope of melody. In this frame, you’ll catch the jazz influences of the group. 

‘Hold Your Breath’ is to be interpreted through the contemplative spread of ‘When I Was One and Twenty’. Long instrumental arrangements are enhanced with distortions and affecting resonance. It has a harrowing core, which the band extrapolates across the track. 

‘Afterlife Pt. 1 & 2’ oppose each other in energy and momentum. Pt.1 is an acoustic flow that shines with a luminous ambience. With its ruminative frequency and softness, it creates the foundation for Pt. 2. ‘Mountains’ and ‘A Fleeting Glimpse’ also share in this swirl of ambient intelligence. The canvas forms boundlessly, anchored only by the vocal destiny. 

‘Afterlife Pt. 2’,on the other hand, is a spraying hard rock track. Well situated beat grooves and gritty vocal attributes take the stage and darken the thoughts like rain clouds does the sky. 

‘If It Keeps on Raining’ is a minute long melancholic interlude. Crafted with delicate acoustic strings and an ethereal resonance, it introduces ‘Four’. The track is dense with dark textures and heavy emotion. And the vocals are devouring, consuming the intensity of the soundscape. With melodramatic guitar solos flying over the scene, it is redolent of Linkin Park and Green Day. Listen Now! 

Check out their Instagram, Facebook, and Bandcamp!

The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music

You can listen to ‘What If I Die’ by Velcrocranes here - 

Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.